After a great couple of days exploring Phetchaburi city we made the hour bus trip to Cha Am.
The old town of PhetchaburiTaking in the sightsCoffee time to recharge
We have been in Cha Am for almost a week and loving the slow pace of life in this coastal town approx 200km south of Bangkok.
Week day rush hour on the main beach streetView from coffee shop after a shower of rain.Great digs down this little street just off from the beach Pool to ourselves most of the timeStill amazes us after all the years of coming to Asia how the sparkies operate Another day at the officeMore street sellers
Oh and the food. How we have missed the food stalls in Thailand.
Breakfast LunchQuick takeaway coffeeMore foodIce cream……Bit more action in the weekends with Thai holidaymakers visiting this delightful town. Morning Cha Am
We will be here until Thursday chilling out before making our way to Hua Hin.
From the moment we stepped off the plane in Bangkok we were given the warmest welcome including the friendliest greeting from the immigration staff. Certainly great to be back in the “land of smiles”.
4 nights exploring Lat Krabang in Bangkok. Interesting masks are no longer mandatory but everyone wears them all the time. They will even put a mask on when on when riding a scooter but not a helmet………safety priorities……??!
First coffee in BangkokNoodle soup We love noodle soup Brekkie on the riverGreat hotel on the river
Life on the river canals.
View from hotel room
WE FOUND LEO.
Been 3 years since we with with our friend Leo
After a great few days in Bangkok we hit the road yesterday. Getting used to being backpackers again not cycle tourists is strange especially yesterday catching a Songtheow to the train station, 2 trains, a taxi, and a bus to Phetchaburi where we arrived yesterday……… Not without drama though.
Songtheow to the train station Ready for the bus ride
3/4 into the journey a terrible noise from under the bus right under where I was sitting. Driver pulled over and the exhaust had half fallen off.
Driver inspecting the exhaust
One kick of the exhaust to break it off and we are back on the road with the new passenger. No one seemed the slightest but concerned. Got to love travel in Thailand.
Exhaust now riding in the aisle
Here in Phetchaburi for two nights before onto the costal town of Cha Am tomorrow. The Thai public holidays and long weekend will then be over so things will be quieter when we arrive.
How good to be back travelling again and catching up with great friends we haven’t seen in over 3 years.
On the train from Brisie to RedcliffeLoved catching up with Reg and Di. How time flys since we met you guys in 1998 when the boys worked together.Redcliffe chilling outTwo great weekends of rugby watching with Rhys and Paul, and catching up on the good old Gold Coast days late 90s early 2000s.The lads a few beers in, just like the GC rugby days and our days flatting with Paul. Hanging with Apollo, who would have thought the Nevs would get a soft spot for pets, especially this dog of Susies.Chilling at Susies.
Thanks so much for having us stay Susie, we loved every minute of it.
Birthday celebrations with Susie and her school mate Kylie. Great times Susie like 25 years ago when we met working at Sanctuary Cove. Thanks for the cocktails Kylie and your family BBQ, great laughs and we can’t wait to do it all again when we see you soon.Thanks Paul for the early morning lift to the airport.Now time for the adventure to begin. Asia here we come……
Huge thanks to Susie and our Aussie friends for the most awesome hospitality, laughs and trips down memory lane.
Well the end of another chapter has arrived. Covid put an end to the Nevs being nomadic, however that is about to change. This is the longest we have been in one spot since 2003 and who would have thought we would end up being in Nelson living in the most awesome tiny house for 3 1/2 years.
Work is done and dusted for now and farewell Nelson………but we will be back.
The crazy Covid world we are currently all living in has put the overseas travel as we knew it on hold for the past 2 years. We miss our Asia adventures so much, however, we are fortunate to be stuck in paradise close to family and friends and currently planning the next chapter.
Today we got out on Betty and Nancy for some fun in the sun.
Happy New Year everyone and best wishes for 22. Watch this space for The Nomadic Nevs next chapter coming soon.
Great times in Hans Bay last night staying in the tiny big house.
It all started well
Then it was all downhill…… and that wasn’t on the bikes….!
No problem sleeping last night for everyone and a few loud snorers keeping the village of Hans Bay awake. Good hearty brekki before the pedals were turning.
Overcast in Hans Bay and fingers crossed the rain was going to stay away.
Lovely ride along the Arahura River to Milltown and up to Cowboys Paradise
A few spots of rain but stunning scenery
Then a cuppa and a chat with this Coast character at Trappers Rest.
Super fun riding, only one missed turn off by Alex and before we knew it we were in Kumara although Alex could easily have ended up in Haast.
So lucky not to get wet today and great digs at Theatre Hotel.
Great night out last night in Hoki, and awesome to have Donna and Scott joining us.
After brekki it was time to get the supplies for tonight.
A little more repacking of the over sized toilet bag and we were ready to hit the road. Mandy and Alex taking the easy option of getting their gear transferred and they have e-bikes….!!!
Another beautiful day as we depart Hokitika.
Regrouped after Alex missed the turn off. Her and her e-bike were in the zone. Then we were at Lake Kaniere and truly stunning.
Lunch stop at Lake Kaniere
Then onto Hans Bay and a lovely side ride to Dorothy Falls.
Lovely digs in Hans Bay. Another awesome day of riding.
3rd time for The Nevs riding the West Coast Wilderness Trail and it gets better every time. This time we have friends joining us so double the fun with Andy and Mandy and soon to be triple the fun when Alex and Chris join us tonight and start riding with us tomorrow.
Departing Nelson – Saturday 1st May
Mandy looking a little excited
Arrived at Greymouth and realised Mandy needs a lesson in packing for bike touring, starting with the size of the toilet (sponge) bag…!
Start of the trail snap last night
Then off to the Ross pub. Got to love $12 jugs of Speights in glass jugs with the local characters.
Sun going down on Ross township
Ross Top 10 sunset
Fine dining at Ross Top 10
The boys cooking us up a good bike touring brekki this morning
Then loading up Betty and Nancy for Day 1 of riding.
Ross to Hokitika 36km
Ross beach and ready for action
Coffee at Treetops walkway then onwards
Hokitika turned on the weather for us.
Absolutely beautiful day and magic view from our digs tonight. Roll on tomorrow.
Enjoying our staycation on our 3 days off and this morning we got a shuttle from Nelson out to the Spooners tunnel. The longest disused rail tunnel in the southern hemisphere.
Despite having ridden it 4 times the claustrophobia kicked in and that didn’t help with the light on my bike not working! Thought I was going to come unstuck during the 1.35km but happy to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Betty and Nancy getting ready for the tunnelHere goes……
Out the other side and wow what a huge improvement in the surface of the trail since last time we did the ride. Smashed the other side of the tunnel, blazed through the hop farms which are expanding by the day, onwards through Wakefield then time for a rest in Brightwater.
Loving riding through the hops and this section of the trail is stunning. Rest stop in Brightwater
The strong northerly made for a tough day of riding but the Maccas ice cream reward was well worth it.
A few mechanical issues with Betty but all sorted after realising the derailleur was missing a bolt!!!! Handy Andy had a spare so all fixed.
Awesome day out and fantastic ride on our door step.